New York, NY – The tension between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets escalated into a heated exchange between Mets reliever Jorge López and third base umpire Roman De Jesus during the eighth inning on Wednesday. The incident ultimately resulted in López throwing his glove into the stands, caught by a fan wearing a New York Yankees hat.
The conflict started when De Jesus ejected López for disputing a checked swing call after a disastrous eighth inning for the Mets pitcher. López had committed an error on a pickoff attempt, allowed a two-run double, followed by a two-run home run before being thrown out of the game.
As López walked off the field, visibly upset with his hat off and jersey untucked, he impulsively tossed his glove over the protective netting. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza expressed disappointment with López’s behavior, labeling it as unacceptable.
The Mets ended up losing to the Dodgers 10-3, dropping their record to 22-33 overall and 4-15 since May 10. Despite facing criticism from Mendoza for his actions, López stood by his decision to throw the glove and showed readiness to return to the field if called upon.
Fellow Mets reliever Adam Ottavino offered support to López, acknowledging the pitcher’s misstep while emphasizing the team’s commitment to standing by him through challenges. López, a 31-year-old player with a career 5.39 ERA, is in his first season with the Mets after playing for six other teams.
The incident involving López’s outburst highlights the emotional intensity that players can experience during challenging times in the season. The Mets’ struggles on the field have been evident, with their recent record reflecting a difficult stretch that has tested the team’s resilience. The outcome of how López’s actions will impact his standing within the team remains to be seen as the Mets navigate through a turbulent period.